might look a bit ragged afterwards, so you’ ll need to go over it again— this time just barely skimming the top of your lawn to remove all the loose debris that you just dug up. But before you start, call up your local utility company and have them mark any buried lines to avoid unwanted surprises.
What are the Benefits of Dethatching Your Lawn? The time and effort that it takes to remove thatch pays huge dividends. Primarily, it exposes your soil to warmth and sunlight, helping carbon dioxide and key nutrients reach your grasses’ roots, resulting in deeper growth. It also encourages the effectiveness of fertilizers and reduces water pooling on the surface of your yard by facilitating drainage. And, it helps fight back against invasive weeds that thrive in conditions created by a heavy thatch layer. Best of all, it promotes an overall healthier, greener lawn.
For more insights, watch“ The Benefits of Dethatching,” an episode of“ Backyard Smart,” an original series from lawn care equipment manufacturer, Exmark. To watch the video, visit Backyard Life, which is part of a unique multimedia destination with a focus on helping homeowners improve their outdoor living spaces. There you can also download additional tips and view other Exmark Original Series videos.
Now that you have the lowdown on dethatching, it’ s time to get outside and free up your soil. Your lawn will thank you later.
How to pick the right plants for your location
( StatePoint) When planning your yard or garden, you likely focus on the what and the where. After all, a beautiful plant in a prime location enhances curb appeal and even bragging rights.
You may pay less attention though to understanding how your location, or plant hardiness zone, impacts your garden’ s success. To help ensure your plants don’ t just survive, but thrive, the experts at lawn care equipment manufacturer Exmark are sharing the following insights about plant hardiness:
What is Plant Hardiness?
Plant hardiness is the secret sauce of any healthy outdoor space. Plant hardiness is the ability of a plant to survive adverse growing conditions such as drought, flooding, heat and cold. Have you ever watched with frustration as a late-season temperature dip leaves your beautiful buds with a serious case of frostbite? Plant hardiness zones were developed to help landscapers, gardeners and lawn care enthusiasts avoid this heartache.
American farming contributes billions of dollars to the gross national product annually, which is one reason why the USDA has long monitored weather data. If determining when the average final frost may occur for every region in the country is worth billions, what could that same knowledge mean for your garden? Well, choosing plants with hardiness levels appropriate to specific planting zones gives you the best chance of cultivating healthy, beautiful plants.
What is My Growing Zone?
The United States is divided
PHOTO SOURCE:( c) DavidPrahl / iStock via Getty Images Plus
into 13 zones. Zones 1-6 being the coldest, and 7-13 the warmest. Zone 1 averages-60 degrees F while zone 13 never drops below 70 degrees F. A general guideline is to plant anything designated for your zone or lower, but never higher. Know what zone you live in and make a point of checking the tag on the back of the plant or seed pack before planting.
Perennials Versus Annuals
There’ s a reason you see palm trees in Sarasota, Florida, not Saginaw, Michigan. When it comes to perennials, it’ s not about when the first frost is, but how cold it gets, and whether that plant can survive and thrive through winter.
Plant hardiness zones are less important however when it comes to annuals. Because these plants are only meant to last one growing season; waiting until after the average first frost date will save you from having to re-plant. Know that even if your plant survives the frost, it may never match the photo you saw advertised at the nursery.
Planting Zone Rule of
Thumb
Plant hardiness zone maps are, well, all over the map. Consider the number assigned to your zip code as a starting point. You may live right at the break between one zone and the other. When in doubt, guess too low, rather than too high. In the South, the heat stress a plant not made for the conditions. Your particular geography can also affect your hardiness zone, like if you live on a hill or in a valley.
For more insights, check out the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, and watch“ Find Your Plant Hardiness Zone,” an episode of“ Backyard Smart,” an original series from lawn care equipment manufacturer, Exmark. To watch the video, visit Backyard Life, which is part of a unique multimedia destination with a focus on helping homeowners improve their outdoor living spaces. There you can also download additional tips and view other Exmark Original Series videos.
Understanding what plants will thrive in your climate is essential to a healthy landscape. Fortunately, free resources abound to help you plant successfully.
Madison Magazine March-April 2025 27